That compares with a 26.9% (652,394 voters) turnout in the 1995 referendum on the number of firefighters.

A total of 2,059,948 people voted in the referendum on the number of MPs and 2,056, 404 voted in the referendum on the criminal justice system. Both of these were held in conjunction with the 1999 general election.

The two referenda held in isolation got a much lower turnout than the two held with the general election. The latest one which was by postal ballot got a much higher turnout than the 1995 one which required people to vote at a polling booth.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 at 6:52 am and is filed under politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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“I’d never give my vote to, or take it from, a party on a single issue.”

Basically I aggree with your comment HP. In the normal course of events that is a policy I follow.
Only after looking at overall performance and considering a range of issues do I change my vote.

But in this case we have what I consider is an extraodinary position being taken by Prime Minister John Key.

WE have an issue of an unpopular law, one that epitimises the intrusive nanny state attitude of what many call “Helengrad”. I am sure it was high on the list of reasons why Helen Clark’s Labour was voted out. And I am sure John realises this.

WE have had a referendum result that proves that the majority don’t approve of the law. The turn out was high for a referendum held between elections. The 88% NO vote result was consistant with most reliable polling done on this issue. So we can safely assume that the result reflects the view of a larger number than actually voted NO in the refrendum.

ALSO it is probable that ammemdment to Section 59 would not be law if the whips had been withdrawn and MPs been free to represent the views of their electorates.

I just find it extraordinary that John Key should be seemingly so deaf to the message the electorate has sent him twice in nine months. And the same message has been communicated by many groups and individuals since the law was passed.
Yes HP, I could have written the PM. Others have. I’m sure you are aware of the very good, well reasoned and respectfully written efforts of Democracy Mum and Inventory2.
I will write to John Key but really what can the words of an aging farmer add to the volume he has already received on this matter? Sent in one way or another from a large percentage of the voting population.
There lies the frustration that gave birth to my comment yesterday.